Mama’s Day—Big Day for Flowers

Mother’s Day almost rivals Valentine’s Day for giving flowers to a favorite lady, only instead of your sweetheart, mama receives the bouquets and living plants.

Traditionally, my child and husband usually gave me a hanging basket of flowers--sometimes fuchsias, other times New Guinea impatiens.  Both baskets are perfect for our east-facing porch.  The plants receive morning light and afternoon shade, ideal conditions for these choices.

This year my gift was an Anthurium for inside the house, although its beautiful foliage will be welcome outdoors for the summer, once it is acclimated.  Unfortunately, the tag doesn’t tell me which cultivar it is.  From the Arum family, they originally came from Central and South America.  I grew these in Hawaii, where they are a popular plant for the cut flower trade.  I won’t be cutting mine though; I will enjoy the long lasting flowers on the plant.  When our unseasonably cold spring ends, it will live outside all summer; the large, heart-shaped foliage is lovely in the garden.

What we normally think of as the flower is actually a rich-hued, modified leaf, referred to as the spathe.  Both male and female flowers grow on a tapered spike that rises out of the spathe.  A sterile band of flowers separates the females from the males. 

Comments

[JeanneK]

Score! What a beauty. I love the vibrant red spathes. Anthuriums are a favorite of mine along with its arum cousins, the calla lily(zantedeschia) and the peace lily (spathiphyllum).

I am sure they will look terrific outside once they are acclimated.

[Debbie TT]

I have it sitting on a table under the porch roof right now. It seems to be taking it in stride. They are vibrant!